MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered all e-wallet and mobile payment providers to cut direct links to gambling sites, prompting online operators to shift their services to alternative platforms.
The move comes as part of the government’s broader effort to regulate the fast-growing online gambling sector. Under the BSP directive, operators were given 48 hours to comply, while e-wallets were instructed to remove in-app features that grant direct access to online betting platforms.
Beyond E-Wallets
Authorities said the crackdown would not stop at e-wallets. Regulators are also eyeing other apps—including Viber, Telegram, and Lazada—as potential channels for gambling operators to reach Filipino users.
Tulfo Praises BSP, E-Wallet Firms
Sen. Erwin Tulfo welcomed the BSP’s initiative and commended the cooperation of GCash and Maya, the country’s leading e-wallet providers.
“We laud the move of the e-wallet firms to delink these online gambling sites from their platforms. This is a sign that the business sector is willing to work with the government in addressing the problem of online gambling addiction in our country,” Tulfo said.
On August 17, both GCash and Maya confirmed they had successfully unlinked their platforms from online gambling operators.
BingoPlus Finds Alternatives
But even as e-wallets complied, senators discovered that BingoPlus (BP)—one of the country’s most popular online casinos—had already begun redirecting users to alternative platforms.
In an advisory, BingoPlus announced that beginning August 16, its services would remain available via its own app, website, and even Viber, while still allowing deposits and withdrawals through GCash and Maya.
Tulfo also revealed that the operator has been marketing its games through Viber and Lazada, raising new concerns about the scope of online gambling’s reach.
“The fight against the accessibility of gambling to the public is far from over, and we will do our best to work with the private sector and other stakeholders to come up with a holistic approach in addressing this problem,” Tulfo said.
What It Means for Players
For new players, less convenience is the immediate effect. With gambling apps removed from e-wallets, users now need to take additional steps to access betting platforms.
Experts suggest this could help reduce impulsive betting, since the removal of one-click access creates a natural barrier.
What’s Next for the Industry?
While the BSP’s directive has added obstacles for operators, analysts warn that it may not fully block access. Gambling platforms are expected to keep adapting by finding new channels to reach users.
Industry watchers say the real test lies in enforcement—whether regulators can keep up with operators’ shifting strategies.
As the regulatory environment evolves, one message remains clear: compliance is mandatory, and responsible gaming should be the priority for both operators and players.
